How would you react to an E2 who "smart mouths" you in formation?

I would take said E2 to the side and find out what their major malfunction is. If they continue to give me attitude, I will certainly ask my First Class or Chief for advice on how to best proceed. Being their friend is not required of me to do my job. I just need to respect them, and show them by example that I know what I am doing. Jumping on them in formation shows that you lack professionalism. I agree that there could be something going on with them that is not known, and that is causing the issue. If that is the case, it can be dealt with in private, especially if the situation is of a sensitive nature, and does not need to be broadcast to the unit en masse.

I always punished under the same setting the disrespect occurred. Apparently he didn't have the courtesy to ask his supervisor to speak on the side and explain. However, this was known in advance during initial counseling to all my soldiers. If they choose to question my orders in public, they knew what would happen in advance.

This is more than a case of "Smart Mouthing". This is outright insubordination and needs to be addressed as such. Have the individual report to you immediately after formation and then deal with whatever is going on in the appropriate manner.

On the other hand, I would like to know why an E-5 is asking this question? Is it that you actually don't know what to do or is it that you are looking for affirmation of your actions?

I will see you in the captians office

I would move on with my work assignments. Dismiss the formation. Confine him to quatters to prepare for inspection while I submit papper work from reduction in rank and extra duty starting with the order he refused. Hopefully this corrective action would reedducate him to perform up his maximum political.

1. push-ups. 2. additional training. and if that doesn't work, take out an pen and start writing the individual up. as the senior e5 when squad leaders wouldn't handle their squads, i simply went to attention called the platoon to attention, had them do a half right face and put them in the front leaning rest. only took once.

A 'gentle' reminder that unlike the civilian society, the military is NOT a democracy. He will, of course, have extra duties to remind him that when he's given an order, it's NOT optional. Of course, it's been a LOOONG time since I've been in the military so I'm sure there are PLENTY of great people out there who have a better ideas than I do.

Not going to chew on them, it's better done in private. Maybe there's something brewing, they may be hanging with the wrong bunch.. so I'll have him hang back and we'll find out what the reason is for the attitude and what we can do to remedy the sit-rep.
Meanwhile I'll assign them to assist in another detail with some I know have a more positive attitude.

It's called OFFICE HOURS for disobedience of an order!!!!!

Sir yes sir